Meet Our Team
Colette Blishen | Chief Executive Officer
Colette first began what is now known as Hunter Accommodation and Respite Services (HARS) in 2001 and has over 25 years’ experience in the disability sector. Colette has a wealth of knowledge to benefit participants and families with complex needs, as she has worked in various roles from DSW, Manager, Payroll Officer, HR Manager through to Chief Executive Officer.
Colette believes everyone is entitled to the care they need, regardless of their circumstances. Colette respects family connections and has spent many years working with, and alongside families and participants (including during crises), to achieve their short and long-term goals.
Colette was a finalist for Excellence in the Cessnock Customer Service Awards October 2019.
Qualifications
Colette believes everyone is entitled to the care they need, regardless of their circumstances. Colette respects family connections and has spent many years working with, and alongside families and participants (including during crises), to achieve their short and long-term goals.
Colette was a finalist for Excellence in the Cessnock Customer Service Awards October 2019.
Qualifications
- Diploma of Disability
- Diploma of Children's Services
- Certificate I and II Auslan Sign Language
Shai Walters | Chief Development Officer
Shai joined the HARS team in 2017, bringing with her over 25 years’ experience from a number of roles in the disability sector, including both government and non-government agencies.
Shai has worked as a DSW, team leader/house manager and immediately prior to joining HARS, was a Case Manager within Department of Family and Community Services (ADHC) for 15 years.
While working in ADHC, Shai enjoyed getting to know and working with a wide range of clients (children and adults) and their families, as well as professional colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team. She gained valuable experience in both general and complex case management, supporting individuals and families during crises, navigating both government and non-government systems, and service/support planning.
Shai has a strong human rights focus, and believes in the shared responsibility of all people to respect, protect and fulfil our obligations under the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disability.
Shai is keen to continue to develop and enhance her skills and looks forward to continued ongoing training.
Qualifications
Associate Diploma Social Science (Community Welfare)
Diploma Work Health & Safety
Diploma Leadership and Management
Certificate IV Training and Assessment
Return to Work Coordination
Shai has worked as a DSW, team leader/house manager and immediately prior to joining HARS, was a Case Manager within Department of Family and Community Services (ADHC) for 15 years.
While working in ADHC, Shai enjoyed getting to know and working with a wide range of clients (children and adults) and their families, as well as professional colleagues within a multi-disciplinary team. She gained valuable experience in both general and complex case management, supporting individuals and families during crises, navigating both government and non-government systems, and service/support planning.
Shai has a strong human rights focus, and believes in the shared responsibility of all people to respect, protect and fulfil our obligations under the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disability.
Shai is keen to continue to develop and enhance her skills and looks forward to continued ongoing training.
Qualifications
Associate Diploma Social Science (Community Welfare)
Diploma Work Health & Safety
Diploma Leadership and Management
Certificate IV Training and Assessment
Return to Work Coordination
Katrina Honnery | Chief Administration Officer
Katrina joined HARS 2021 and you'll find her in our office busy working on a wide range of administration and payroll duties on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Katrina enjoys working within the disability support industry and has experience in practice management (healthcare), administration / payroll, disability support work, and foster care; and is looking forward to enhancing her skills and experience at HARS in the years to come.
Qualifications
Certificate IV Disability
Currently undertaking Diploma in Community Services
Katrina enjoys working within the disability support industry and has experience in practice management (healthcare), administration / payroll, disability support work, and foster care; and is looking forward to enhancing her skills and experience at HARS in the years to come.
Qualifications
Certificate IV Disability
Currently undertaking Diploma in Community Services
Jason Fernance | Services Manager
Jason joined the HARS team in November 2022, bringing over 10 years’ experience in the healthcare sector. Jason is currently undertaking a Diploma of Community Services and a Cert IV Leadership and Management.
Jason is a firm believer in training and support for staff and is heavily involved in supporting new to industry support workers. He has come to HARS from the training sector where he has assisted in facilitating over 400 new to industry support workers,
Jason has strong ties to the local community, growing up in the Maitland area and volunteering for the Rural Fire Service for the last 15 years.
Qualifications
Certificate III Individual Support - Aged and Disability
Senior First Aid
Workplace Health and Safety Training (HSR and Fire Safety)
Dementia Australia Support Training
Down Syndrome Australia Support Training
Undertaking Diploma of Community Services
Undertaking Diploma of Nursing
Undertaking Certificate IV Leadership and Management
Jason is a firm believer in training and support for staff and is heavily involved in supporting new to industry support workers. He has come to HARS from the training sector where he has assisted in facilitating over 400 new to industry support workers,
Jason has strong ties to the local community, growing up in the Maitland area and volunteering for the Rural Fire Service for the last 15 years.
Qualifications
Certificate III Individual Support - Aged and Disability
Senior First Aid
Workplace Health and Safety Training (HSR and Fire Safety)
Dementia Australia Support Training
Down Syndrome Australia Support Training
Undertaking Diploma of Community Services
Undertaking Diploma of Nursing
Undertaking Certificate IV Leadership and Management